Earning an online Bachelor of Art History degree is a stepping stone to becoming an art historian. Although a bachelor’s degree is necessary, a master’s or doctoral degree is often a requirement, if you wish to advance in your career and become a respected art historian in a senior or directorship capacity.
Naturally, your program should cover the apparent coursework required to do your job well, such as art appreciation in all types of formats; however, other important qualities are needed as well. You must be an exceptional communicator with excellent oral and written skills, in addition to, possessing outstanding interpersonal abilities, being a team player, and exhibiting confidence in your research techniques. Art historians must have excellent decision-making skills, art evaluating expertise and an eye for detail. Foreign language proficiencies are a plus, along with, a good sense of color, object placement, and knowledge of art materials.
Perhaps you are questioning if you would like to go to the expense of earning a graduate degree to become an art historian. Sure, your online bachelor’s degree in art history degree will help you get an entry-level position, but are you genuinely interested in performing the full responsibilities of a senior art historian? As this title will, most likely, require a graduate degree, do you have the time and tenacity to follow the program through to completion? If you can, an interesting, exciting and awesome future awaits you!
What exactly will the duties of an art historian entail? As the title indicates, an art historian researches to find the history of a piece of artwork or artifact, recording their findings to share with others. They often advise others about selling and buying art for investments and help art curators put together important exhibitions for others to enjoy. Other duties may include travel to historical sites, archeological digs, libraries, and art galleries to conduct research. Art historians often submit their discoveries for publication and carefully study the published works of others.
How are your public speaking skills? Art historians are often hired to speak at lectures about the historical aspects of art and present exhibitions. They often teach art history to others and maintain databases or catalogs of every art item in a collection. Art historians are also often hired to advise the government about historic buildings, sites, or monuments and advise legal firms regarding copyright issues. They must be well-versed in a wide array of cultures, as well as, proficient in natural history.
As you earn your online bachelor’s degree in art history, you will learn that art historians must be aware of the precise ways in which to handle delicate and valuable artifacts and paintings. By reading other’s publications and attending seminars and certification courses, art historians are continually learning about new and exciting preservation techniques, in addition to, the latest developments in a specialized type of art, a particular artist, or period of time.
Where will you work? Art historians usually are self-employed; however, they are also hired by museums, libraries, universities, by art dealers, art galleries, or auction houses. They work closely with other art historians, artists and museum curators, as well as, the general public when needed.
Work conditions may vary, depending on your assignment, but typically, art historians will work in an office setting, in an art gallery, or archives room. The usual office hours may apply; although, in some cases, extensive travel and weekend hours may be required to attend lectures, go to art auctions, conduct research, or merely to oversee an exciting art discovery.
In an Art History major, bachelor students explore the methods through which humankind has expressed its ideas, powerful emotions, and ideologies. Whether through painting, sculpture, architecture, film, and many other areas, students study a highly relevant lens through which to understand humanity.
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If you are interested in this field, please see our list of the Top 20 Bachelor of Art History Degree Programs.
In an Art History major, bachelor students explore the methods through which humankind has expressed its ideas, powerful emotions, and ideologies. Whether through painting, sculpture, architecture, film, and many other areas, students study a highly relevant lens through which to understand humanity.